Comelec exec: We’re not yet ready to proclaim winners

Comelec Director Frances Arabe. (Photo by CONSUELO MARQUEZ / INQUIRER.net)

Updated @ 8:30 p.m., May 18, 2019

MANILA, Philippines — The proclamation of winners in the 2019 May midterm polls may not push through on Sunday, an official from the Commission on Elections said on Saturday.

“We are not ready to proclaim yet. So the schedule will be announced,” Comelec Director Frances Arabe said in a press briefing at the Comelec Command Center in Pasay City.

This was contrary to Comelec’s announcement on Friday that winners will be proclaimed this weekend.

READ: Senate race winners may be proclaimed on Sunday – Comelec

So far, 89.22 percent of certificates of canvass (COCs) — or 149 out of 167 COCs — have been canvassed as of 6:37 p.m.

The Comelec director, however, said the “sure winners” of the senatorial race had already been informed about the possible proclamation.

“Nag-heads up na kami we just need to inform them on the exact date and time. Those who are sure to be winners, medyo alangan pa sa baba di pa namin sila nai-inform, di pa namin masabi,” she said.

Special elections

Arabe said they might have to wait for the special elections in Jones, Isabela to finish before they could proclaim the winners.

“We might have to wait for the special elections it is proposed to be held on May 20 that is why we cannot announce yet the date of proclamation,” Arabe said.

She said special elections would be held possibly on May 20 because around 1,000 votes were affected when a vote-counting machine (VCM) was torched in Jones, Isabela.

“Regarding Jones, Isabela, there is a pending recommendation to the commission en banc to hold special elections on May 20. This is yet to be resolved by the commission en banc,” Arabe said.

On Tuesday, armed men snatched and burned a VCM that was being transferred to a municipal canvassing center in Jones, Isabela.

READ: Armed men torch VCM, election paraphernalia in Isabela

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)